……
The Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament fourth round began after a day of rest.
Beyond anyone’s expectation, after the bitter last round, this round became ordinary.
The final six teams decided their opponents by drawing lots.
Among them, the teams who were clearly the strongest, Spirit Hall Academy Team, Shrek Academy Team, and Godwind Academy Team, none drew the other two teams. The three great powerful teams each drew opponents whose strength wasn’t considered that great.
This also meant that the fourth round ended without any suspense, the final three were astonishingly the three strongest. At this moment, they had at last entered the final moments of struggle.
The three great teams basically had intact fighting strength.
In the finals at present, they were only one step away from the final victory.
The bright sunshine fell on the vast land. Under the light of the sun, Supreme Pontiff Palace seemed even more splendid, like the abode of immortals.
In front of Supreme Pontiff Palace were two rows of temple knights arrayed down the hill from the doors of Supreme Pontiff Palace. The bright silver armor and heavy knight swords made the entire Supreme Pontiff hill even more imposing.
The eliminated teams had already left, not even allowed to watch the battles of the final day. Only the true young powers had the qualifications to set foot in the plaza before Supreme Pontiff Palace.
At dawn, the three teams entering the final round were already quietly waiting in front of Supreme Pontiff Palace. The teachers of the three great academies weren’t allowed to stand in the plaza, and could only wait on the outskirts.
Altogether twenty one team members participating in the finals stood straight in the plaza, all waiting for this final moment to arrive.
Part 2 (TL by Bagelson)
With Xie Yue in the lead, the Spirit Hall Academy team members had the most relaxed expressions, but the light of faith still flickered in their eyes. Faith in Spirit Hall, faith in the Supreme Pontiff.
Shrek Academy kept the lowers profile, the seven of them standing in a light, from left to right they were Dai Mubai, Tang San, Oscar, Ma Hongjun, Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing.
The size of the platform in the plaza in front of the Supreme Pontiff Palace wasn't a bit smaller than the one used before. The plaza was surfaced with a special rock, and by careful observation one could discover that this stone held a faint gem like luster. Even though it wasn't truly gemstones, it also wasn't common rock. This showed how dreadful the financial might of Spirit Hall was.
A group of people walked out the gates of Supreme Pontiff Palace, altogether twelve red robed cardinals whose position was second only to platinum bishops slowly walked over. They walked directly in front of Supreme Pontiff Palace, separating to the left and right, six on either side.
The one in the lead said loudly:
"Her Holiness the Supreme Pontiff arrives. "
"Long live, long live, long live! "
The three cheers resounded through the entire Spirit City, like a landslide or tsunami.
That wasn't just the shouts from the temple knights arranged neatly on Supreme Pontiff Hill, but at the same time the shouts of all the Spirit Masters in Spirit City who couldn't get close to Supreme Pontiff Hill. To them, the Supreme Pontiff was the highest object of faith.
The enormous gate slowly opened, the symbols on the two great doors gradually separating.
Everyone's gazes unconsciously turned in the direction of the opening gate. Even the seven members of the Spirit Hall Academy team couldn't keep their pulse from accelerating.
Even as Spirit Hall's Golden Generation, they had only met the Supreme Pontiff when they were awarded the Purple Record medal.
Wearing a resplendent golden formal long dress from head to foot and a purple gold crown, holding a staff of authority, with a solemn expression, Bibi Dong took the lead out of Supreme Pontiff Palace. She gave a kind of unreal impression, as if infinitely lofty.
Nobody even noticed her beautiful appearance. At this moment, she represented only the dignity of Spirit Hall's Supreme Pontiff.
The resplendent long dress was extremely close fitting. The dazzlingly beautiful ceremonial dress flashed with the gemstones, having more than a hundred red, blue, and golden gemstones. The purple golden hat was even more splendid with ten thousand rays of light. At this moment, all this light condensed on one person.
All the Spirit Hall subordinates knelt on one knee on the ground,
"Our respects for Your Holiness Supreme Pontiff. "
In the indescribable atmosphere at this moment, even people with unswerving will like Tang San and Dai Mubai, surrounded by noisy shouting, couldn’t help but feel an impulse to prostrate themselves in worship.
Behind Bibi Dong followed four people. Three of them wore large red ceremonial robes, different from the red robes of cardinals, inlaid with gold and silver patterns, especially the chest flashed with golden light, more than baby's fist sized gems filled with an even more expensive aura.
To ordinary people, these robes were perhaps only a symbol of wealth, but to Spirit Masters, they represented the highest honour, because only Title Douluo had the qualifications to wear them. Clearly, that was the status of these three.
Tang San had only met one of the three. That was Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's ninety sixth ranked Title Douluo, with the title of Sword, Chen Xin. The Sword Douluo renowned for the strongest attack.
Of the other two, the one on the left carried an illusory demeanour, even though he wore the same apparel, nobody could see his countenance. As for the other person, skin tender as a baby's and delicate features gave people a kind of peculiar feeling. If not for the Adams apple on his neck, nobody would have believed he was a man.
Even though Tang San didn't recognise these two, seeing them immediately gave him a familiar feeling. Secretly he thought that these two should be the Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo that showed up prepared to kill him that day.
Only three kinds of people could walk out the main gates of Supreme Pontiff Palace. The first was naturally the Supreme Pontiff. The second were the Title Douluo, having proved themselves with strength. And the third kind was the Spirit Hall elders. Apart from these three, not even the platinum bishops and the emperors of the two great empires had the qualifications.
The fourth person walking with these three clearly didn't have the strength of a Title Douluo, but he still walked out the main gates, implying a different status. Spirit Hall elder. To be precise, it was an honorary elder, the school master of Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, Ning Fengzhi.
Originally Dugu Bo also had these qualifications, but he wasn't mixed among them. He only quietly waited next to the Golden Iron Triangle.
Had it come at last? Tang San gazed attentively at the five walking out of Supreme Pontiff Palace. On the plaza right now, only Shrek Academy's seven didn't kneel. Even the seven from Godwind Academy were kneeling with one knee on the ground right now.
The Shrek Seven Devils hadn't talked it over beforehand, but they all made the same decision.
As prince, Dai Mubai naturally wouldn't kneel for Spirit Hall, and Zhu Zhuqing had similar reasons. Oscar had never held Spirit Hall in high regard, and only thought well of them when receiving the gold spirit coin stipend.
As for Tang San, he would show obeisance to Spirit Hall even less. Not because of his Clear Sky School background or something similar, but because of his unyielding character.
In his heart, the only ones that could make him kneel, was his father and Teacher. As for the others, even if it was the emperor, would they?
Ma Hongjun was of much the same mind as Tang San, Xiao Wu hung her head and nobody knew what she thought, but in fact, her eyes betrayed a peculiar glint, unexpectedly containing hatred.
As for Ning Rongrong, as the pearl of Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's school master, and possibly the next
generation school master, she naturally wouldn't kneel either.
Even though it wasn't expressly stipulated that Spirit Masters must make obeisance to Spirit Hall, at this moment, the Shrek Seven Devils no doubt appeared unconventional.
Bibi Dong's gaze turned directly to these seven youths, and all of Spirit Hall's subordinates were glaring angrily at the Shrek Seven Devils.
Standing behind Bibi Dong, Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Gang's lips buzzed in her direction, and Bibi Dong's gaze immediately found Tang San among the Shrek Seven Devils.
The instant her gaze fell on him, Tang San clearly felt as if his soul would be pulled out. Trembling lightly he had no choice but to immediately rouse his Purple Demon Eye.
Purple golden rays of light flashed more than a chi out of his eyes, then blocking Supreme Pontiff Bibi Dong's gaze. But his actions were undoubtedly noticeable, far from able to compare with Bibi Dong's ease.
"Bold, daring to disrespect the Lord Supreme Pontiff."
A cardinal bowing with clasped hands in front rebuked angrily.
Bibi Dong's gaze had already become gentle, raising her hand, that cardinal immediately shut his mouth, with an expression of veneration and awe.
Bibi Dong being able to inherit the position of Supreme Pontiff was because of the recognition of the previous Supreme Pontiff and the support of several elders, but her being able to sit steadily on this position was entirely due to her own thunder like skill and strength.
With a gentle smile, Bibi Dong's gaze fixed on Tang San,
"You are Grandmaster's disciple Tang San? "
Tang San started inwardly, he hadn't expected that this illustrious Supreme Pontiff would also know his Teacher.
"Yes, your Holiness Supreme Pontiff."
He replied neither haughtily nor humbly.
Bibi Dong nodded to Tang San,
"You're very good, as expected with the strength of character of your teacher in those days."
The kneeling Spirit Hall Academy team and Godwind Academy team members couldn't help being shocked. After the Supreme Pontiff appeared, the first she spoke to was unexpectedly Tang San, and moreover seemed to know his teacher. To them, this really was difficult to understand.
Tang San, conforming with the norms of society, said:
"I dare not compare myself to Teacher."
Bibi Dong didn't pause by Tang San any longer, waving the staff in her hand,
"Rise."
All the kneeling people waited for this moment to rise. Because of the Supreme Pontiff deigning to talk to Tang San and what seemed like affirmation, their gazes at the Shrek Seven Devils weren't so angry.
A smiling expression appeared on Bibi Dong's face, and her gaze swept from left to right across all the twenty one young Spirit Masters participating in the top three finals.
"From you, I find hope. Before Supreme Pontiff Palace, I hope even more to see your full talent and strength. The final victors, will receive Spirit Hall's biggest reward."
As she spoke she lightly waved the staff in her hand.
Nobody saw what she did, but brilliant light flashed in front of Bibi Dong and grew, floating in midair.
Those were three different things, none large, shaped like bones. Separately they were one right arm bone, one head bone, and one left leg bone. Their surfaces also respectively glimmered with fiery red, pale blue, and deep green light.
Spirit bones, those were three spirit bones.
The light of the three spirit bones was distinct even below Supreme Pontiff Hill. For a moment, all of Spirit City boiled.
Except from the people who already knew about it in advance, who could have expected it to be three spirit bones? Judging by the light, these three spirit bones were each of outstanding quality. Even among Spirit Hall's people, each and every eye revealed a covetous light.
Part 3 (TL by Bagelson)
If Supreme Pontiff Hall wasn’t here, if not for the deterrent of several Title Douluo, perhaps someone would long since have been unable to restrain their greed and rushed out to snatch them.
Tang San had also obtained a spirit bone when he killed with Yama’s Invitation, therefore as he first glanced at these three spirit bones in front of him, even his staunch will couldn’t help swaying a bit.
These were spirit bones! The most precious thing to Spirit Masters. They could be found but not looked for.
Spirit bones were also sorted by distinction, their quality extremely important. The higher the level of the spirit bone’s spirit beast, the more useful it was. Apart from external spirit bones, of course.
Because external spirit bones were the least common, their ability to grow was also the most precious among spirit bones. In the whole scheme of things, they were second only to hundred thousand year spirit rings.
But there were altogether six types of common spirit bones: head, torso and the four limbs. Among the six types, the most precious was torso, followed by head, again followed in sequence by right arm, left arm, left leg, and right leg. As the quality of spirit bones were different, their price also varied.
Even though the spirit bones Supreme Pontiff Bibi Dong pulled out this time didn’t have the most precious torso spirit bone, there was still a head bone. The value of the right arm bone was also second only to head and torso bones. Even the that left leg bone still wasn’t the lowest valued among the six types of spirit bones.
And these spirit bones were all clearly from spirit beasts over the ten thousand year level.
To Spirit Masters, they were top quality goods.
Ghost Douluo Gui Mei standing behind the Supreme Pontiff said in his deep voice:
“The three spirit bones are each thought focusing wisdom skull, burst incineration flame right arm, as well as fast movement windchasing left leg. These three spirit bones are all from ten thousand year spirit beasts. Among them, the thought focusing wisdom skull is even from a spirit beast that just reached fifty thousand years, personally killed by a Supreme Pontiff. In spirit bone quality, it is second only to external spirit bones and first rate spirit bones from hundred thousand year spirit beasts.”
The Supreme Pontiff said indifferently:
“There can never be more than one victor, and this goes for the champions as well. Consequently, these three spirit bones will all belong to the winning team. I hope that all you top three academies can make an all out effort to obtain this special glory.”
No matter what level the Spirit Master, they all had a red light in their eyes as they looked at spirit bones. To say nothing of there being three. Intense fighting spirit practically burst from the twenty one competing Spirit Masters.
The Supreme Pontiff continued:
“This morning is a knockout competition for the seven members of all your three teams. The team remaining in the end will hold a decisive opportunity, directly entering the fight for the championship tomorrow. The two defeated teams will fight over the other place in the finals in the afternoon. You can now dispatch your first members to the stage.”
It was like the knock-out competition in the ranking competition, but there were three teams participating. Even though this wasn’t the final struggle for the championship, it was equally important.
Capable of winning didn’t only mean entering the top two, but also being able to wait at leisure for an exhausted enemy in tomorrow’s battle.
In this top three phase, there wasn’t any substantial difference in strength. Continuously competing for a day would no doubt be substantially exhausting, and there might even be injuries. It would be practically impossible to recover to peak condition for the final finals tomorrow. Therefore, the winning team in the next competition, would very possibly be the final champions.
Spirit Hall taking out three spirit bones no doubt made the competition even fiercer. Even if Spirit Hall seemed selflessly impartial on the surface, anyone with eyes could naturally see that these three spirit bones were prepared for the Spirit Hall Academy team.
The Spirit Hall Academy Te
am had a practically overwhelming advantage. Even though Shrek Academy’s Tang San possessed a ten thousand year spirit ring, in fact, the Spirit Hall team’s three Spirit King level experts fifth spirit rings were also of the ten thousand year level. The difference in one spirit ring was no doubt an enormous gap in strength between Spirit Masters, to say nothing of there still being a difference of three people.
All members of the three teams had strength over the fortieth rank, this made the three fiftieth ranked powers Spirit Hall possessed seem even more outstanding. If there was only one, perhaps there might still be a lucky fluke, but the three lined up, judging by the strength they displayed when defeating the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy team, they were terrifying.
In that fight, only two of them fought, settling the battle with one dazzlingly beautiful spirit fusion ability. Even though they used the spirit fusion ability, since people couldn’t see the circumstances inside due to the particular nature of this ability, it also had an even more opaque meaning. The actual effect was deterrence by force.
Even the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy team members who were there only had a vague impression of that spirit ability. Yu Tian-Heng came to find Tang San yesterday, but he couldn’t give any constructive suggestions either.
When speaking of the Spirit Hall Academy team, his expression was helpless. Even though there was a gap between them and the opponents, in that fight, they basically couldn’t display even their own strength.
This was also where the Spirit Hall Academy team was most terrifying. They relied on their tyrannical strength to suppress the opponent, leaving them unable to display their strength, thereby controlling the outcome. Meticulous minds, tacit cooperation, this Spirit Hall Academy team was extremely formidable even to opponents of the same level, to say nothing of the opponents about to confront them in the finals who didn’t have even one fiftieth ranker.
Whether to them or all the spectators, the victors of this tournament would without doubt be them. Of course, the three fiftieth ranked Spirit Kings still had an additional mission: to seriously injure Shrek Academy’s Tang San in the competition, or even kill him.
Douluo Dalu - Volume 01-48 Page 221